Women's Tennis

Women's Tennis Starts Out with a Bang, Knocks Off Spelman in Season Opener

Feb 15, 2013

The Oglethorpe women's tennis team got off to a very good start in their season opening competition Friday afternoon, defeating crosstown rival Spelman, 6-3.

The Lady Petrels swept the first five matches that finished, clinching their victory at 5-0. This, of course, meant that they swept the doubles competition against the visiting Jaguars.

The team of freshmen Katherine Walker and Marcail McGranahan made quick work of their opponents, 8-1, getting the afternoon off to an excellent start. The team of senior Carla Reinheimer and freshman Tricia Groover were the next to finish off their opponents, 8-4. Junior Kate Siess and freshman MaryAnn Hafen had a bit more of a challenge, but they prevailed in the end, as well, 8-5.

With a 3-0 lead, the Lady Petrels looked to close the evening out as quickly as possible in the singles competition, and that's exactly what they did. Siess won her No. 4 singles match 6-1, 6-0, putting Oglethorpe one match from victory.

Victory came just moments later, as freshman Charlsie Johnson closed out her victory in the No. 6 slot. She had a relatively easy time of it, as well, 6-0, 6-3. At 5-0, the Lady Petrels had clinched victory on the day.

They got won more win in the No. 3 singles slot, as Groover bested her opponent 6-3, 6-1.

Spelman tacked on some wins late, as Walker lost the No. 1 singles match 6-1, 6-2; Hafen lost No. 2 singles in a hard-fought match 6-3, 6-3; and McGranahan lost in three sets 6-0, 0-6, 6-2.

In the end, the Lady Petrels came away with the 6-3 win, though.

They will next take the court in a week's time, when both the men's and women's teams welcome Maryville onto the Downing Howell Courts next Friday at 3 p.m.